Lincoln Avenue, adjacent to Mariner's Pier on the Boardwalk, is one area of the project. (Photo courtesy of Expedia)
The Cape May County Board of Commissioners reviewed a detailed presentation from the city of Wildwood outlining proposed improvements to the Roberts Avenue and Lincoln Avenue street ends.
The project, reviewed and recommended by the County Open Space Review Board, seeks funding through the Open Space Program, It would transform two heavily trafficked beach access points into safer, more functional, and fully accessible public spaces.
Prepared by de Blasio & Associates and reviewed by Remington & Vernick Engineers, the proposal continues Wildwood’s ongoing efforts to modernize and beautify the city’s Boardwalk street ends, following successful upgrades previously completed at Bennett and Spicer Avenues.
Current conditions at both Roberts and Lincoln avenues offer limited accessibility, worn or mismatched surfaces, and no unified visual presentation, according to a news release.
Project presenters noted that neither location provides a direct, fully accessible approach to the existing ADA-accessible beach ramps. The improvements are intended to enhance safety, improve the flow of traffic and elevate the overall visitor experience at two of Wildwood’s busiest beach access points.
Commissioner Bob Barr, who serves as the Board of Commissioners’ liaison to the Open Space Board, applauded the ongoing partnership between local towns, the state of New Jersey and the Open Space Board to prioritize accessibility to county attractions in all new project developments.
“The board is proud to support continuing measures, across multiple Open Space projects, to improve ease of access to all that Cape May County has to offer,” Barr said in the news release. “Projects like this one send a message to residents and visitors alike: All are welcome. Come and enjoy all of Cape May County.”
Project Vision and Scope
The Wildwood proposal targets two locations: Roberts Avenue, near Adventure Pier and Lincoln Avenue, adjacent to Mariner’s Pier and the Wildwood Beach Patrol headquarters.
Both projects are designed to create more inviting public spaces at the intersection of the street ends and the iconic Wildwood Boardwalk.
Improvements include:
The design emphasizes connectivity, accessibility, and welcoming, small gathering spaces while maintaining Wildwood’s distinctive Boardwalk identity, according to the release.
Funding and Cost Breakdown
The project carries a total estimated cost of $1,871,300, consisting of:
The County Open Space Review Board unanimously recommended moving the Wildwood project forward. With the required 30-day municipal notice period completed, the project now enters a 45-day public comment period, during which residents may offer feedback.
“The county’s ongoing commitment of Open Space Funding helps strengthen Wildwood’s tourism economy and ensure that our beaches and boardwalk are accessible and welcoming to every resident and visitor.” Board of Commissioners Director Leonard Desiderio said in the release. “We look forward to partnering with Wildwood and the state of New Jersey to make summer visits to the Wildwoods even more attractive for the summer of 2026 and beyond.”
The Board of Commissioners reviewed the project at its Dec. 9 meeting. Once public comments are reviewed, the project will be scheduled for a final vote by the Commissioners.
If approved (and pending the award of the state grant) construction is expected to begin promptly, with the goal of completing improvements in time for the 2026 summer season.
